Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History recently discovered that grillz were popping long before Hip-Hop was put on the map. A study recently published by the Institute states that the indigenous people of Mesoamerica (North America before the Spanish arrived), from as far back as 2,500 years ago, were “beautifying” themselves with precious stones, gems, intricate notches as well as grooves on their teeth.

In an interview with National Geographic, José Concepción Jiménez, an anthropologist at the institute said, “They were not marks of social class” or just for the wealthy, but was an enhancement that was open and appreciated by all.